ROCHESTER — The board of directors of the Gafney Home announces the appointment of Thomas J. Jean as administrator effective Oct. 1.

Speaking on Tuesday morning, Board of Director member Claire Bisaillon said the Gafney Home has had an interim administrator since terminating the previous full-time administrator in July.

“We are very lucky to get T.J.,” she said. “We talked to him five weeks ago and made the offer, and he took a week to think about it and talk it over with his wife. Then he gave Frisbie (his employer) four weeks notice.”

“We are very excited to welcome T.J. to our team. He is uniquely qualified to lead the Gafney Home on a path of strategic growth while enhancing the quality of services offered to our residents,” added Gerry Bisaillon, president of the board of directors.

The Gafney Home is an assisted living facility that has served the greater Rochester area for nearly 110 years. Located at 90 Wakefield St., the Gafney Home provides 24 hour nursing care and can accommodate 20 residents.

Click image to enlarge

Gafney Home

In a press release issued on Tuesday morning, the board of directors said that “Jean will bring his vast knowledge of healthcare management and leadership expertise to expand services and programming at the Gafney Home. Formerly employed at Frisbie Memorial Hospital, Jean will utilize his business administration skills and experience to advance the mission and vision set forth by the board of directors.”

“I am incredibly thankful for the trust and confidence the board of directors has placed in me. This is an exciting and rewarding opportunity for me in my professional career. I am looking forward to working closely with the staff and directors to enhance the quality of care provided to our residents,” said Jean.

“Frisbie has been so good to me. They have been very supportive of all my civic activities, and I look forward, now, to strengthening the ties between the Home and the hospital,” Jean continued. “Hopefully it will also allow me to improve the quality of life of the residents.”

Jean said his new job will give him the opportunity run an entire organization as the chief operating officer.

“It will give me some great experience in organizational leadership,” he said.

“He wants a challenge, and we are offering him more money,” said Claire Bisaillon, noting that his appointment will lead to the elimination of a couple of positions at the Gafney Home, and result in cost savings. The longer-term goal of the Gafney Home, she said, is to expand from 20 beds to a larger, yet to be determined, number.

On assuming the reins, Jean said he will take an assessment of the current state of affairs and look for ways to improve operations. At present there are around 20 full-time, part-time and per diem staff, he said.

Jean attended Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester and holds a degree in business administration. He lives in Rochester with his wife Jennifer and their two sons, Tyler and Brady. Jean also serves as the mayor of Rochester and is actively involved throughout the community. He is familiar with the Bisaillons and others on the board of directors through his service in Rotary.